Soldiers of the Great War remembered.
Friday was a proud, momentous and emotional day for the extended Casey family, with local roots when at 11.00 am on the 11th. day of the 11th. month in the year ending 11 a plaque commemorating two Casey brothers who died in the battle of the Somme 1916 was unveiled in the presence of family members, local inhabitants, visitors, and pupils from Milverton N.S.
The plaque sculpted locally, is mounted on a side wall at Strifelands –Ardgillan gates entrance within
100 feet of the house in which, they were born and lived for the early part of their lives.
The two brothers Thomas aged 28, Irish Guards and John aged 32, Royal Irish Fusiliers were killed in the Battle of the Somme in September – October 1916 within 28 days of one another in two different villages in north eastern France about 3 miles apart.
They have no known resting places, but are both commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, one of the largest war memorials in the world, where the names of 73,000 of the fallen with no known graves, are inscribed. Following short talks by Joe Clinton, Frank Wherity, Pat Casey and a poem by Francis Ledwidge , to whom the Casey family are related, was read by John Harte, Skerries Historical Society, the plaque was unveiled by Michael Casey and Paddy Daly two nephews.
A wreath was laid by Kate Curley and Maureen Roy two nieces, followed by a minutes silence.
A DVD – “From Thiepval back Home” has also been produced to record the event for posterity.
Below are some photos, taken in appalling weather, as can be seen from the numbers of umbrellas.
Photography by Tony Healy 086-8054 275